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PoliticsFrench National Assembly rejects life imprisonment for serial rape of minors under 15
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During the first reading of the 'child protection' bill in the French National Assembly (July 15-17, 2026), deputies rejected a government-backed measure (Article 11) to establish life imprisonment for serial rapes of minors under 15. The rejection followed heated debates, with left-wing lawmakers criticizing the measure as purely repressive. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin requested a new vote on the article, scheduled for July 21, just before the solemn vote on the entire text. Separately, deputies approved an amendment by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu requiring that within three months, a set of investigative acts be carried out in cases of violence against minors, addressing judicial flaws exposed by the death of an 11-year-old middle school student (Lyhanna). The bill aims to strengthen child protection measures.
Source report
Gérald Darmanin, Minister of Justice, at the National Assembly during the examination of the bill on child protection, in Paris, on July 15, 2026. STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP
The first reading of the "child protection" bill, held at the National Assembly from Wednesday, July 15 to Friday, July 17, 2026, produced several surprises — and at least one disappointment for the government.
The government had sought to include in the text several measures to combat sexual violence, announced in the wake of Lyhanna's death. However, one key provision, contained in Article 11, was rejected by deputies: establishing a life sentence for serial rapes of minors under 15.
- Heated debates preceded the rejection, with the left criticizing the measure as purely repressive.
- The government has requested a new vote on the article, scheduled for Tuesday, July 21, just before the solemn vote on the entire text, which will follow immediately.
On a positive note for the government, deputies supported another measure added by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. This measure aims to address judicial flaws revealed by the case of the 11-year-old middle school student's death: it mandates that a certain number of investigative acts must be carried out within three months in cases involving violence against minors.
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Politique : Toute l’actualité sur Le Monde.fr.Western
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French MPs Reject Life Imprisonment for Serial Rapes of Minors, Amend Child Protection Bill